Improvement in alloys or bronzes



UNITED/STATES PATENT GEE-ICE.

GEORGE MONTEFIOBE LEVI, or-BRUssnLs, AND'OHABLES MAURICE KUN- znn, O LIEGEQ ELGIUM, AssIeNoRs TO CHARLES JAMES ADOLPH DICK, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT m ALLovspR BIRONZES.

1 Specification forming part of LetterePatent No. 115,250, dated 23, 1871. 7

We, GEORGEMO'NTEFIORE LEVI, of Brussels and .onxnnns MAURICE Ki'iNznL, of.

Liege, Belgium, have invented an Improved.

Alloy and -Mode of Preparing the same, of

which the following is a specification:

Nature and Object of the Intention.

Our invention consists of an alloy of copper and tin, with or withoutother metals, whenv treated with phosphorus substantially in the, manner described hereafter, and when the pro-' portions of phosphorus, in'respect to the alloy,

are limited,as described hereafter. The object of our invention is to produce an alloy, the prominent features of which are tenacity, elasticity, homogeneity, hardness, and freedomfrom rust, and castings from which have perfectly true surfaces and edges.

General Description. We have discovered that in heating with phosphorus or phosphoric substances alloys of stancesto analloy ofcopperand tin it will be found to eliminate or. neutralize the effect of the oxides, if any are therein contained, and

the proper quantity for this purpose should be ascertained by preliminary tests or analysis; as the oxides may vary in quantity, in accordance withthe character of the metals em ployed, the absolute resistance of the alloy thus heated is considerably augmented, the fused alloy is rendered more fluid, and the process of running itoff into molds facilitated, so that the largest and smallest objects of the most complicated and intricate character may be cast without anymaterial flaw; but an additional quantityof phosphorus over and above that required for thejdeoxidizing process must be added to bring the alloy to the desired high standard, and this additional quantity we'have found, by repeated tests, shonldnot exceed the limits above referred to.

By varying the quantity of phosphorus with in these limits, at the same time having a due regard forthe quantity of tin used, as indicated above and by the examples given hereafter, the hardness, elasticity, and toughness of the alloy may be regulated with the greatest accuracy, in accordance with the character of the object into which the alloy has to be converted. We prefer to add the phosphorus in the form of phosphuret of copper or phosphuret of tin, the proportion of phosphorus in which hasbeen previously ascertainjedfand we'have found it preferableto make this addition after the alloy of copper and tin is completed, and while the molten alloy is covered with a layer of carbon or is otherwise exclud-l ed from the air. The alloy, with itssupply of phosphorus, is then well. stirred in the furnace or crucible, and may bferun directly from the latter into the molds. 91f cast into chillmoldswe have found that the quality of the metal is improved as regards homogeneity, elasticity, and. tensile strength. The inner surfaces of the molds should be slightly coated with oil, petroleum, or other equivalent mat. ter. ,Small quantities of other metals, such as zinc, nickel, 850., may be added to the main ingredients, but as the most important features of the new alloy can be completely controlled by varying the proportions of phosphorus and tin used, the addition'of other metals, exceptin special cases, or for minor considerations, such, for instance, as the attainment of a particular color, sound, &c.,had better be discarded. i The application of our improved alloy is so extensive that a full account of the different proportions for different uses would be volu minous and unnecessary; we will, however, give a few examples, which, with the foregoing explanation, will afford a sufficient guide for those skilled in metallurgy to carry our in vention into effect.

For fine ornamental objects an alloy very fluid, when melted, and very tenacious, may be composed of one-half per cent. of phosphorus, seven per cent. tin, and ninety-two and onehalf per cent. copper. For ordnance, parts of machinery, and such objects as require a great amount of elastic resistance and toughness, we

use one and six-tenths per cent. phosphorus, eight and five-tenths per cent. tin, and eightynine and nine-tenths per cent. copper. The addition to ordinary gun-metal of nine parts of copper and one part of tin and of two and three-tenths per cent. of phosphorus imparts to the alloy the hardness of steel.

As will be seen from the above examples, the toughness, elasticity, and hardness of the alloy can be regulated by varying the proportions of tin and phosphorus. The almost endless variety of objects and purposes for which the new alloy may be used to advantage makes their enumeration endless, for they would em brace the boat-nail and siege-gun, the cogwheel, and the finest work of art; in fact, the new alloy -is applicable to and may be used in the manufacture of all objects in which tewhich we are about to make for a patent.

Claim.

An alloy of copper and tin, with our without other metals. when treated with phosphorus, substantially in the manner described, and when the proportion of phosphorus in respect to the alloy is limited, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE MONTEFIORE "LEVI. CHARLES MAURICE KUNZEL.

Witnesses:

THITJOR Pnnrnns, Fcos. VUBRUGGE. 

